Delicately Dealing with Storytime Distractions

Storytellers often offer lapsit and story time program for children in the infant and toddler stage. While they are certainly fun and invigorating, they can also be challenging. Interestingly, it is usually not the children, but the parents and caregivers who can cause the most distractions. Of course moms and dads certainly need time to socialize, but storytime is designed for parents to interact with their children and it can be a magical time. 

 

During my sessions there is always time for parents to  talk with other adults before and after story time. However, sometimes during the story portion of the program adults engage in distracting behavior by conversing with another adult or by using their cell phones.

 

I always err on the side of tolerance the first few times a family is in attendance, but it is important that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy their time together. I make an announcement at the beginning of story time and provide a handout so the adults can participate in the songs and fingerplays, but sometimes that is not enough. I asked members of a librarian’s listserv what methods they used to address difficult situations in their programs; they were very generous with their ideas and wisdom. Since many offered similar suggestions I have integrated and compiled their responses below.

 

USE POSITIVE COMMENTS

 

·        It is so wonderful that you parents faithfully attend these programs. Your babies are learning so much by modeling your actions.

·        It is great that you are making connections. Perhaps after class you two can further discuss your topic, but right now I would like everyone to focus on the babies.

·        Parents, we know you need time to visit so we will finish up a few minutes early so you can all visit and share your wonderful ideas!

·        Compliment the parents on their children's attention, participation, and what a great job they are doing as role models at the close of each program. Applaud and thank them for their parenting skills and for setting a good example.
 

  TOOLS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE PROGRAM

• Start every program with an activity that models the behavior you want your adults to exhibit and that forces them to participate immediately. Make it a physical activity rather than verbal (like a team scarf activity) so that you can say to everyone something along the lines of "Notice how your child watches you and copies what you do. You will find that your child can do things you didn't know he could when you help, so he gets more out of the program."
• Devise a handout with the "rules" of story time on them and give it to the parents at the beginning of story time.
• Hang a colorful cute poster, with positive language, just behind the shoulder of the story time leader that lists expected behaviors of both kids and adults in positive language. When the rules are ignored, gently put the book down and sit quietly to catch everyone's attention. If the 'offenders' don't catch the hint, quickly go through the poster's rules. and resume the story.
• Before you begin say, "now look at your neighbors and say 'I'll talk to you in 20 minutes'" generally this gets a smile and a gentle laugh and serves as a good reminder. 

EXAMPLES FOR ADDRESSING ADULTS BEFORE YOU BEGIN

• “Welcome to Story Time. My name is ______ and I am the children’s librarian here. We are going to have lots of fun today reading books, singing songs, and seeing some puppets. First, we ask that you turn off your cell phones and save your conversations until the program is over. Please show your children how to be good listeners during the stories and help us out with the songs, because I need all the help I can get. We have provided you with a song sheet so you can sing along, and you will see the words on our smart board, too. If your child gets restless or upset and you need to leave the room, you can exit through the same door where you came in. Thanks for coming and let’s have fun!”
• "I can see that the parents here today are just as excited to see other adults as the kids are excited to see other kids! Just a reminder, our toddlers learn best when we, as parents are fully engaged in activities with them. There will be time to chat together built in at the end of class, so please wait until then to catch up with your friends!"
• “Because we are teaching good audience skills as well as early literacy skills, we keep our talking [hands facing each other opening and closing], our treats [fingertips going to the lips and out again], our toys [cuddle and stroke your arm] and taking pictures [hold up a "camera" and click the shutter button] for after story time. Grownups, now's the time to turn off your cell phones or turn them to vibrate because WE'RE the ones making all the noise!" I find the pantomime gets the message across without sounding preachy.
• "Welcome. Today we will share books, songs, rhymes, and activities (or what you do). I would like everyone to participate as much as you can. You can follow along with me with by using the handouts. I know your children love to see participating. You are their first teacher.”

ADDRESSING NOISE LEVEL AFTER THE PROGRAM HAS BEGUN 

• When parents are talking and not participating, finish whatever rhyme or song and then say, smiling, "Parents' let's do this next one altogether." And wait. Silence gets patrons attention  quickly without confronting or embarrassing them.
• "Uh oh.  It's getting too noisy.  It's time to practice our shushing."  We all put our fingers to our lips and the parents quiet down.  I have had to say, "Oh it didn't work, let's try it again.
• Stop briefly and wait for them to become aware of the silence as well as the eyes of everyone turning to see what the problem is. Once they look up, we smile and make eye contact, bring them back into the group without saying anything, picking up where we left off.
• "Goodness, we're all chatty this morning. I will give you a minute to finish your stories." Wait about 30 seconds, and then counted backwards from 10, then put your finger to your lips. Be very pleasant and upbeat.
•  Three Chances Rule: 

1. The first week, if the family is disruptive, I deal with it as it happens.
2. The second week I speak privately with the adult after story time, reminding them that we make our expectations clear at the beginning of the program for their support and cooperation to help us provide a wonderful experience for all.
3. The third week in a row I speak privately to the adult suggesting that the program does not seem to be a good fit for their family at this time. I may suggest that they continue to come to the library but take a month or so off from story time until they are able to fully participate, or I may suggest an alternate program that I think they would find a better fit.

"Whenever the noise volume gets too high in story time, I tell this story. It works every time. You can fill in any main character according to your story time theme."

 

Cleaning House
(This activity helps children focus on their tongues and mouths, and stops their talking (adults, too.)

 

Once there was a little (boy, girl, monster, fish…fit your theme)

Who decided to clean house.

First, he cleaned the downstairs, like this.

(slide tongue side to side in between bottom teeth and bottom lip, pushing out bottom lip)

Next, he cleaned the upstairs, like this.

(slide tongue side to side in between top teeth and top lip, pushing out top lip)

Then he cleaned all the windows on this side of the house, like this.

(slide tongue up and down against the inside of cheek, pushing out one cheek)

Then he cleaned all the windows on this side of the house, like this.

(slide tongue up and down against the inside of the other cheek, pushing out that cheek)

When he was done, he took his mop outside and shook it out, like this.

(stick your tongue out and wiggle it up and down)

Then he took a walk around the block.

(stick out your tongue and circle around your lips several times)

When he was done, he went inside, (pull your tongue into your mouth)

And closed the door. (close your lips together dramatically)”

 

My sincere thanks to all of the seasoned librarians around the country who offered their expertise and suggestions. I hope they will help you with your program so everyone will be eager to return again and again!

On another note, if you are seeking some songs and fingerplays to add to your upcoming programs, here is another blog post with resources for a variety of lapsit themes:

Lapsit Program Themes from Apples to Zoos
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2018/12/27-lapsit-program-themes-from-apples-to.html 

 

 

Karen Chace 2013 ©

Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and weblinks may change or break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links.  At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission, please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.

Tea for Two: The Stories and History of Tea



The Tea Kettle

by Warwick Goble, 1910

The History of Tea

 

Legend has it that tea was discovered in China in 2737 BC by the Emperor Shen Nung, when the leaves of a wild tea bush accidentally fell into a pot of boiling water. By the time of the Tang Dynasty tea had become China’s national drink.

 

Tea was first brought to Portugal and Holland by missionaries and sailors returning from China. By the early 17th century, as China slowly opened up to trade with the outside world, regular cargoes of tea began to arrive in Europe and eventually Britain.

 

At first, only royalty could afford to drink tea, then the nobility acquired a taste for it. Servants were introduced to tea by drinking the ’dregs’ – using leaves left over from their masters’ brew.

 

The first record of tea trading with Chinese merchants is dated 1644.

 

Tea became popular in refined British society during the reign of King Charles II, when his Portuguese wife, Catherine Braganza, introduced tea to the Court

 

Tea was first planted in Africa in 1687 but did not spread to East and Central Africa until the end of the 19th century. Today Africa is one of the world’s largest producers of tea.

 

It is believed that tea was first brought to the colony of New Amsterdam (which later became New York) by the Dutch around the middle of the 17th century.

 

Boston, Massachusetts  is also the site of the famed Tea Party in 1773, when angry colonists took a stand on English–imparted tea taxes.

 

Iced tea debuted in 1904 at the Louisiana State Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, Mo. The temperature was soaring and the staff in the Far East Tea House couldn’t get any fair–goers to even look their way, let alone sample their tea. So they poured the hot tea over ice cubes and the drink quickly became the exposition’s most popular beverage.

 

For more information please visit http://theteaspot.com/tea-history.html

STORIES

The Accomplished and Lucky Tea-Kettle - Japan

http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/books/japan/freemanmitford/accomplishedteakettle.html

 

The Ancestor of Tea – Chinese Folktale

http://cracklemountain.blogspot.com/2006/06/ancestor-of-tea-chinese-folktale.html

Chinese Tea Stories

http://silverearringslov.hubpages.com/hub/Stories-and-Legends-of-5-Famous-Chinese-Tea

The Ghost’s Tea Kettle – Yupik
http://zeluna.net/yupik-folktales-ghoststeakettle.html

Learning to Act - India
http://www.pitara.com/talespin/folktales/online.asp?story=67

 

The Samurai and the Tea Master – Japan * You can listen to the audio or read the story at this link.

http://www.storynory.com/2011/03/27/the-samurai-and-the-tea-master/

 

The Tea-Kettle – Japan

http://www.worldoftales.com/Asian_folktales/Japanese_folktale_32.html

Verdant Tea – Legends associated with tea.
http://verdanttea.com/category/legends/

Story-Lovers.com
http://www.story-lovers.com/liststeapoems.html



From the great Irish Storyteller Eamon Kelly: The Tea Man

 

 POEM

A Cup of Christmas Tea by Thomas Hegg – This is an original poem so copyright is in effect. Please contact Mr. Hegg for permission to tell this poem.

http://community.qvc.com/forums/topic/251599/the-beautiful-poem-a-cup-of-christmas-tea-the-real-meaning-of-the-holiday.aspx

 

BACKGROUND ON SOME TEA LEGENDS

Dà Hóng Páo – Great Red Robe oolong teahttp://www.tealegends.com/da-hong-pao-great-red-robe-oolong/

In Pursuit of Tea: The Legend of Tieguanyin and The Legend of Bodhidharma
http://www.inpursuitoftea.com/category_s/34.htm

 

 

CRAFTS

I’m a Little Teapothttp://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/grandparents/mteapot.html Salt Dough Tea Set

http://www.sproutonline.com/crafts-and-recipes/crafts/salt-dough-tea-set

Tea Party Puppets

http://nurturestore.co.uk/kids-crafts-tea-party-puppets

 

CHILDREN'S RHYME

I'm a little teapot,
Short and stout,
Here is my handle (one hand on hip),
Here is my spout (other arm out with elbow and wrist bent).
When I get all steamed up,
Hear me shout,
Tip me over and pour me out! (lean over toward spout)

 

 

 

Karen Chace 2013 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.

Stories of Our Feline Friends: June is National Adopt a Cat Month



Cat Among the Fairies
by John Anster Fitzgerald 1819-1906



I confess, I am more of a dog lover, but I did grow up with many cats and kittens in my childhood home. At one time there were two adult cats, which timed their pregnancies perfectly, and blessed us with twelve kittens all at the same time!

My first cat was a beautiful, fluffy, white stray, and of course, being such a creative child, I named her "Fluffy."  But by far, the funniest cat ever was Sassy, named for her erratic behavior and personality. She would run full tilt down the hall, a straight shot from our kitchen to my bedroom door, and slam herself into it shake it off, then begin the routine all over again. I learned quickly to leave the door open.

She never did quite get the hand of the litter box . Sassy would climb into it, scratch around, finding just the right spot, then hang her behind over the box and deposit her business on the kitchen linoleum. She always made my friends laugh!

One day Sassy sat on the hassock, facing my sister's boyfriend who was ensconced in my father’s favorite chair, and entered into a staring contest with her. It went on for quite a while until Sassy began to slowly tilt, then tumbled right off onto the floor!

June is National Adopt a Cat Month, so let’s celebrate these beautiful, feline creatures that definitely have their own style and attitude! These stories will have you purring in no time at all!

• The oldest archaeological evidence for domesticated cats was found on the Greek island of Cyprus, where several animal species including cats were introduced by 7500 BC.
• The next is 6th millennium BC Haçilar, Turkey, where female figurines carrying cats or catlike figures in their arms have been discovered.
• The first illustration of a cat with a collar appears on an Egyptian tomb in Saqqara, dated to the 5th dynasty (Old Kingdom, ca 2500-2350 BC). By the 12th dynasty (Middle Kingdom, ca 1976-1793 BC), cats are definitely domesticated, and the animals appear frequently in Egyptian art paintings and mummies.
• The ancient Egyptian reverence for cats is well-known—and well-documented in the archaeological record: scientists found a cat cemetery in Beni-Hassan brimming with 300,000 cat mummies. Bastet, an Egyptian goddess of love, had the head of a cat, and to be convicted of killing a cat in Egypt often meant a death sentence for the offender.
• Ancient Romans held a similar—albeit tempered and secularized—reverence for cats, which were seen as a symbol of liberty. In the Far East, cats were valued for the protection they offered treasured manuscripts from rodents.
• Cats came to be demonized in Europe during the Middle Ages. They were seen by many as being affiliated with witches and the devil, and many were killed in an effort to ward off evil (an action that scholars think ironically helped to spread the plague, which was carried by rats). Not until the 1600s did the public image of cats begin to rally in the West.

The above information was found at the following websites:: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/brief_cats.html#ixzz2UPp0bxQp

http://archaeology.about.com/od/domestications/qt/cat.htm

STORIES

Around the World with Cats – Eight international folktales from India, Aesop, China, and more.
https://fairytalez.com/blog/around-the-world-with-cats-8-international-folktales-starring-felines/

The Boy Who Drew Cats – Japan

http://www.aaronshep.com/stories/045.html

The Cat Who Could Eat So Much - Norway
https://www.storyberries.com/fairy-tales-the-cat-who-could-eat-so-much-by-asbjornsen-and-moe/

The Cat’s Elopement – Japan

http://tinyurl.com/cllzb9b

Cat and Mouse in Partnership - Germany

http://tinyurl.com/c8uzndv

Domingo’s Cat – South America

http://tinyurl.com/c3kpech

Liza the Fox and Catafay the Cat -  Russia
https://russian-crafts.com/russian-folk-tales/liza-the-fox-and-catafay-the-cat.html

The White Cat – France
https://fairytalez.com/the-white-cat/

Why Cats and Dogs Never Get Along – Haiti

http://tinyurl.com/26odwdz

You will find these seven folktales at the link below, along with a few Aesop fables.

·                     How Cat’s Got Their Purr – England

·                     The Master Cat, or Puss n’ Boots - France

·                     The White Cat - France

·                     Kissa the Cat - Denmark

·                     The Lion and the Cat - England

·                     The Cottager and His Cat - Iceland

·                     The Clever Cat - Iran

http://tinyurl.com/c6uu7jv

Here are twelve different stories about cats from Nigeria, Palestine, Tibet, and other countries around the world.

http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/cat.html

  

CRAFTS

Cat and Kitten Crafts for Kids

http://tinyurl.com/6bl8t8v

Cat Puppet - Cute and easy, made from Styrofoam and a straw.

http://tinyurl.com/5rdhxtn

CURRICULUM 

First School – – Cat curriculum for preschoolers, includes printable activities and craft.
https://www.first-school.ws/activities/animals/pets/cat-kitten.htm

Kidssoup.com – Cute cat math activity for preschoolers.

http://www.kidssoup.com/pets-activities/a_catwhiskers.pdf 

FLANNEL BOARDS

Ball of Yarn Hide and Seek
https://flannelboardfun.blogspot.com/2021/11/ball-of-yarn-hide-and-seek.html

Color Cats – Includes a delightful rhyme.
https://librarystorytimeabcs.blogspot.com/2014/02/guest-post-color-cats.html

Five Little Kittens
http://www.adventuresinstorytime.com/2020/06/kittens-flannel-friday.html

SOMETHING EXTRA

Myth and Moor: Feline Folklore
https://www.terriwindling.com/blog/2019/08/cats.html

Do you have any of  cat stories to share? I would love to hear them! Please feel free to add them in the comment section of the blog.

Karen Chace 2013 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.

Story: Seed of Creativity and the National Storytelling Conference

The 2013 National Storytelling Conference is in Richmond, Virginia this year and it looks like there will be something for everyone!

The SIG (Special Interest Groups) YES, HSA (Healing Story Alliance) and the PRO (Producers and Organizers) are the day before the Master Classes and main conference workshops, which begins on August 1- 4 so don't forget to check out those separate links.

There are offerings for beginning to experienced storytellers, teachers, and those who work in the healing arts. The conference is always a wonderful time to learn, reconnect, network, and reinvigorate your storytelling, teaching and healing soul.

Outside of the hotel there are many exciting venues to visit so plan to come early or stay late! I offer a few stories and informational sites to help you make the most of your time in this beautiful city. Looking forward to seeing you there!


STORIES

American Folklore - Folklore from Virginia; a Pour quoi Tale and two ghost stories await.
http://tinyurl.com/dye6mhu

On to Richmond.com – Real Life Stories From the Richmond Area “The story of the Richmond-Petersburg Region during the Civil War is one of struggle, courage, perseverance and strength. From generals and prisoners to spies and enslaved Americans, the most compelling aspects of the American Civil War are seen through the personal stories of those who lived it. Visit the Richmond-Petersburg Region to learn about real people whose life experiences were forever transformed by this pivotal point in American history.”

http://www.ontorichmond.com/home-front/home-front-stories

 

The Center for Children’s Books - The Folklore Tradition of Jack Tales – Interesting insights to the Jack Tales. “When the Jack Tale cycle migrated from Europe to North America, Jack became an “Americanized farmboy-hero Jack.” (Guiterrez, 85) The first record of Jack in the United States appears before 1800 in Virginia where these tales were “handed down from generation to generation from time immemorial” (Kercheval 1902, 285-86 as quoted by Lindahl (McCarthy 1994, xvii))

http://ccb.lis.illinois.edu/Projects/storytelling/jsthomps/tales.htm

OH THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!
 

Richmond.gov – Everything you need to know about Richmond; business, transportation, maps, tours, cultural events and more.

http://www.richmondgov.com/index.aspx

Tripadvisor.com – Read about eighty-two different activities in Richmond, including museums, theater, landmarks, etc., and how other visitors have rated them.
http://tinyurl.com/c5ds5fp

Virginia Historical Society - The Story of Virginia, an American Experience

“This award-winning exhibition interprets 16,000 years of Virginia history from the earliest artifacts of Native Americans to Virginia at the beginning of the 21st century. This online version allows you to explore the galleries through a new virtual tour.”
http://www.vahistorical.org/storyofvirginia.htm

Virginiafolklife.org - "... a public program of the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, is dedicated to the documentation, presentation, and support of Virginia’s rich cultural heritage.Whether sung or told, hand-crafted or performed, Virginia’s rich Folklife refers to those “arts of everyday life” that reflect a sense of traditional knowledge and connection to community."

http://virginiafolklife.org/ 

Visitrichmondva.com – Another site to help you plan your trip, including restaurants that cater to groups, discount coupons, and a free visitor’s guide.

http://tinyurl.com/csexbw6


TRAVEL TIPS

Kayak.com - Airline Baggage Fee Chart
http://www.kayak.com/airline-fees

About.com - 3-1-1 Carry on Rules and more helpful travel information at this link.

http://businesstravel.about.com/od/tipsandtools/g/3-1-1-Rule-For-Liquids-In-Carry-On-Bags.htm

Groupon.com – Just key in Richmond, VA in the search box and some wonderful deals will appear. I used this when I was in TX for the San Antonio Conference and saved 50% off dinner at a beautiful, local restaurant. Just make sure to read the fine print, i.e. available dates and any restrictions before you hit the purchase button. http://www.groupon.com   

 

Karen Chace 2013 ©
This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.